Lamp sealing apparatus



Dec. 3, 1963 M. N. GILBERT, JR., ETAL 3,113,011

LAMP SEALING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 28, 1961 18 Sheets-Sheet 1 "ARCELLUS N. GILBERT JR. ERLE H. DODGE INVENTORS C ATTORNY 1963 M. N. GILBERT, JR., ETAL 3,113,011

LAMP SEALING APPARATUS v Filed Dec. 28, 1961 18 Sheets-Sheet 2 MARCELLUS N. GILBERT JR. ERLE H. DODGE INVENTORS ATTORNE 1963 M. N. GILBERT, JR., ETAL 3,113,011

LAMP SEALING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 28. 1961 18 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIG.3

MARCELLUS N. GILBERT JR. ERLE H. DODGE INVENTORS ATTORNEY Dec. 3, 1963 M. N. GILBERT, JR.. ETAL LAMP SEALING APPARATUS 18 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Dec. 28. 1961 Dec. 3, 1963 M. N. GILBERT, JR., ETAL LAMP SEALING APPARATUS 18 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Dec. 28, 1961 us N. GILBEIRT JR DODGE INVENTORS g ATTORNE MARCEL ERLE H .IOf-

Dec. 3, 1963 I M. N. GILBERT, JR., ETAL 1 LAMP SEALING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 28, 1961 l8 Sheets-Sheet 6 I66 I48 l7 /84 I82 I80 /92 l7 v J66 :QRCELLUSOIg. GlLBERT JR.

LE H. D

INQ ENTORS B &

ATTORNEY ,1963 M. N. GILBERT, JR., ETAL 3,113,011

' LAMP SEALING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 28, 1961 1s Sheets-Sheet a FIG. I2

MARCELLUS EGILBERT JR. ERLE a. noose INVENTORS ATTORNE Dec. 3, 1963 M. N. GILBERT, JR.. ETAL 3,113,011

LAMP SEALING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 28, 1.961 18 Sheets-Sheet 9 FIG.I3

MARCELLUS N. GILBERIT JR.

ERLE H. 0006:

INVENTORS ATTORN Y Dec. 3, 1963 M. N. GILBERT, JR., ETAL 3,113,011

LAMP SEALING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 28, 1961 18 Sheets-Sheet 1O MARCELLUS N. GILBERT JR. ERLE H. DODGE INVENTORS ATTQRN Y Dec. 3, 1963 M. N. GlLBERT, JR., ETAL 3,113,011

LAMP SEALING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 28, 1961 18 Sheets-Sheet 11 MARCELLUS N. GILBERT JR ERLE H. DODGE INVENTORS BY C ATTO NEY Dec. 3, 1963 M. N. GILBERT, JR., ETAL ,0

' LAMP SEALING APPARATUS- Filed Dec. 28, 1961 18 Sheets-Sheet 12 322 :5 FIG. l9

FIG.20

"MARCELLUS N. GILBERT JR.

ERLE a. noose INVENTORS ATTORNE Dec. 3, 1963 M. N. GILBERT, JR.. ETAL 3,113,011

LAMP SEALING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 28, 1961 1a Sheets-Sheet 13 MARCELLUS N. GILBERT JR. ERLE H. DODGE INVENTORS ATTOR EY Dec. 3, 1963 M. N. GILBERT, JR., ETAL 3,113,011

LAMP SEALING APPARATUS- Filed Dec 28, 1961 18 Sheets-Sheet 14 FIG.23

MARCELLUS N. GILBERT JR ERLE H. DODGE INVENTORS ATTORNE Dec. 3, 1963 M. N. GILBERT, JR., ETAL 3, 11

LAMP SEALING APPARATUS 18 Sheets-Shed 15 Filed Dec. 28, 1961 MARCELLUS N. GILBERT JR.

ERLE H DODGE INVENTORS 6 5f, ATTO EY Dec; 3, 1963 M. N. GILBERT, JR., ETAL 3,113,011

LAMP SEALING APPARATUS 18 Sheets-Sheet 16 CELLUS N. GILBERT JR E H. DODGE Filed Dec. 28, 1961 MAR ERL IN VEN TOR S 5% ATTORNE Dec. 3, 1963 M. N. GILBERT, JR., ETAL 3,113,011

LAMP SEALING APPARATUS 18 Sheets-Sheet 17 Filed Dec. 28, 1961 mNdE MARCELLUS N. G|LBERIT JR. ERLE H. DODGE INVENTORS Q ATTORN Dec. 3, 1963 M. N. GILBERT, JR., ETAL 3,113,011

LAMP SEALING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 28, 1961 18 Sheets-Sheet 18 LOA DED HEADNO T LOADED BULB CHUCK FIG. 30

MARCELLUS N. GILBERT JR ERLE H. DO

INVENTORS ATTORNE United States Patent 3,113,911 LAMP SEALING APPARATUS Marcellus N. Gilbert, In, Lynnfield, and Erie H. Dodge, Beverly, Mass., assignors to Syivania Electric Products Inc, a corporation of Delaware Filed Dec. 28, 1961, Ser. No. 162,826 20 Claims. (62. 65-4355) This invention relates to the manufacture of electric lamps and the like, and more particularly to the manufacture of elongated tubular lamps of the fluorescent type in which a lamp mount is sealed in each end of the lamp tube to define a hermetically sealed lamp envelope.

Two of the major manufacturing operations performed in the manufacture of elongated tubular lamps, such as fluorescent lamps for example, are lamp sealing and lamp exhausting. In the lamp sealing operation, a pair of lamp mounts are sealed to the ends of a lamp tube to define a hermetically sealed lamp envelope. At least one of these lamp mounts is provided with an exhaust tube. In the subsequent lamp exhausting operation, the lamp envelope is evacuated through this exhaust tube, provided with a filling of an inert gas and mercury and finally the exhaust tube is sealed or tipped-oil. Over the years these two major manufacturing operations have usually been performed with the lamp tube disposed in a vertical plane. The lamp sealing apparatus disclosed in U.S. Patent 2,349,822 is illustrative of the type of lamp sealing apparatus generally used to perform the lamp sealing operation and the lamp exhaust apparatus disclosed in U.S. Patent 2,294,400 is illustrative of the type of lamp exhausting apparatus generally used.

When a lamp sealing apparatus of the type disclosed in U.S. Patent 2, 349,822 is employed, sealing of the mounts to the ends of the lamp tube is effected sequentially, i.e., first a mount is sealed in one end of the lamp tube, the lamp tube is then rotated 180 and finally a lamp mount is sealed in the other end thereof. Sequential sealing of the lamp mounts to the lamp tube has long been recognized in the art as a time-consuming o eration limiting considerably the speed with which this particular lamp manufacturing operation may be performed. A lamp sealing apparatus in which sealing of a pair of mounts to the ends of the lamp tube is etfected simultaneously is disclosed in the U.S. Patent 2,721,422. In accordance with the teachings of that patent, the lamp tubes are disposed horizontally instead of vertically and each lamp tube is supported in and carried by an elongated head, longer than the lamp tube itself, which spans a pair of spaced endless chain conveyors which advance the heads through a path along which two banks of heating units for sealing the lamp mounts to the ends of the lamp tubes are disposed. As the articles of work are advanced by the heads which support them, the two banks of heating units are reciprocated along the path and oscillated into and out of heating relationship with respect to the mount to be sealed to the ends of the lamp tube.

Although the lamp sealing apparatus disclosed in U.S. Patent 2,721,422 represents a substantial improvement over the art since it makes possible simultaneous sealing of a pair of lamp mounts to the ends of a lamp tube, this apparatus also has its limitations. For example, it is not adjustable to readily permit sealing of lamp tubes of different lengths or diameters. The burner arrangement limits the speed with which the lamp sealing operation may be performed because of the compound reciprocating and oscillating motions required to heat the work.

In view of the foregoing, one of the principal objects of this invention is to provide a continuous motion lamp sealing apparatus, for simultaneously sealing a pair of lamp mounts to the ends of a lamp tube, which is readily ddl fi'll Fatented Dec. 3, 1563 ice adjustable to permit the sealing operation to be performed on lamp tubes of different lengths.

Another object of this invention is to provide a continuous motion lamp sealing apparatus, for simultaneously sealing a pair of lamp mounts to the ends of a lamp tube, which is readily adjustable to accommodate lamp tubes of different diameters.

A further object of this invention is to provide a continuous motion lamp sealing apparatus for simultaneously sealing lamp mounts into each end of a lamp tube in which separate, independent burners are provided for effecting the sealing operation at each end of each lamp tube.

A further object of this invention is to provide these burners with a system for feeding combustible gases thereto in which various mixtures of these combustible gases may be fed to the burners during the work-heating period.

A further object of this invention is to provide each head of the lamp sealing apparatus with its own seal working device for shaping the seal being formed by a fusion of the mount to the end of the lamp tube.

A further object of this invention is to provide a lamp tube and mount feeding unit for this lamp sealing apparatus which is also readily adjustable for feeding lamp tubes of different lengths and diameters.

Further objects, advantages and features of the apparatus of this invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the description of a specific embodiment thereof set forth below and the accompanying drawings in which a specific embodiment is illustrated.

in the specific embodiment of the apparatus of this invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described below, a plurality of sealing heads. ltli) (FIGS. 1-4) are disposed about the periphery of a spider 1S rotatably supported in a stationary pedestal 10. Paired therewith is a plurality of heads 1G0 disposed about the periphery of a spider 18 rotatably supported in an adjustable pedestal 12. The pedestal 12 may be moved closer to or further away from pedestal 10 to accommodate lamp tubes of different lengths. Each of the spiders 18 moves continuously through 360, being driven by a gear-pinion arrangement 34, 36 (FIG. 29). During a portion of the 360 cycle of each of the spiders 18, the mount pin 183 (FIGS. 4 and 911) and the tube chuck arms 166 of each of the heads 1% on each of the spiders 18 are rotated about the longitudinal axis of the lamp tube 1 while the burner 199 of each of the heads ltill is heating the work. This rotation is effected by a sprocket 124, on each of the heads 1% which meshes. with a chain 42, the drive for which is shown particularly in FIG. 29. A valve assembly 56 (FIGS. 1315) is supported on each of the pedestals 1i) and 12 for supplying combustible gases to the heads 100. The arrangement of this valve assembly is such that various mixtures of combustible gases are fed to the burners of each of the heads 10% during a heating cycle and this supply of combustible gases to the burners is maintained uninterrupted during the continuous movement of the heads.

Each of the heads 10% includes three equally spaced tube chuck fingers 172 which support the lamp tube 1 (FIGS. 4-4 1). As shown in FIG. 5 for example, the configuration of these tube chuck fingers 172 is such that these fingers may be readily adjusted to support lamp tubes of different diameters and maintain the lamp tubes on a common axis with respect to the heads 1% which support them.

The lamp tube and mount loader 300 comprises a pair of similar units, one associated with the stationary pedestal 10 and the other with the adjustable pedestal 12. A plurality of paired heads 302 (FIGS. 19-26) are disposed on each of these two units of the lamp tube and mount loader 30%). Each of the heads 302 is provided with a mount carrier 353 and a tube cradle 324 for supporting a lamp tube it near an end thereof. As shown in FIG. 23, the configuration of the cradles 324 is such that these cradles may be readily adjusted to support lamp tubes of different diameters so that, regardless of diameter, they will always lie on a common horizontal axis. A lamp mount 3 is inserted in each end of the lamp tube 1 on the loader 36d and the lamp tube 1 with a mount 3 in abutting relationship therewith at each end thereof is presented to the heads 100 of the lamp sealing unit described above. Upon completion of the lamp sealing operation sealed lamps are released by the heads 10!? to a lamp unloader 40s (FIGS. 1, 3 and 27).

In the accompanying drawings in which a specific embodiment of the apparatus of our invention is illustrated, FIG. 1 is an elevational view taken along the line II of FIG. 2 showing the unit of the lamp sealing apparatus associated with the adjustable pedestal and also showing in phantom those portions of the lamp tube and mount loader and lamp unloader associated therewith.

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the lamp sealing apparatus with the stationary pedestal and its associated parts shown in section and the heads associated with the adjustable pedestal shown in phantom.

FIG. 3 is an elevational view, partly in section, taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2 and showing particularly the drive for the sealing apparatus, the lamp tube and mount loader and the unloader.

FIG. 4 is a transverse sectional view of one of the heads of the lamp sealing apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of the head of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the head of FIG. 4, taken along the line 6-6 of FIG. 4, and showing particularly the structural arrangement for defining a path of communication through the head for feeding combustible gases to the burner thereof.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged sectional detail of the front end of the head of FIG. 4 showing particularly the burner and the seal working device and their relationship to the work.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged detail of a portion of the front end of the head of FIG. 7 showing the seal working device in engagement with the work.

FIGS. 9-i11 are elevational views of the sealing apparatus head assembly showing the head and the means em loyed to actuate certain members thereof. In FIG. 9 the head is shown in its rest position looking in the direction 99 of FIG. 12. In FIG. 10 the head is shown in its seal working position looking in the direction III-10 of FIG. 12. In FIG. 11 the head is shown in the work heating position looking in the direction ll.l1l of FIG. 12.

FIG. 112 is a developed schematic diagram of the several cam tracks which actuate the head of FIGS. 9-11 during one operating cycle.

FIG. 13 is a transverse sectional view of the sealing valve assembly associated with the stationary pedestal.

FIG. 14 is an elevational view of the valve of FIG. 13 showing particularly the means employed to actuate the movable plate thereof.

FIG. 15 is an enlarged fragmentary detail of the pawl and ratchet assembly employed to actuate the movable plate of the valve of FIGS. 13 and 14.

FIG. 16 is a side elevational view of the lower portion of the adjustable pedestal showing particularly the means employed to support it and to effect adjustment of its position.

FIG. 17 is a cross sectional detail, taken along the line 17I7 of FIG. 16, showing the means employed to secure the adjustable pedestal in position.

FIG. 18 is a fragmentary detail partly in section showing the means for displacing the adjustable pedestai on its base.

FIG. 19 is a side elevational view of one of the heads of the tube and mount loader shown in its rest position with the articles of work supported thereby.

FIG. 20 is a side elevational view of one of the heads of the tube and mount loader showing particularly the mount carrier thereof in its forward position for insertion of a mount carried thereby into an open end of the lamp tube.

.FIG. 21 is an enlarged detail of the mount carrier looking in the direction 2121 of FIG. 19.

FIG. 22 is a detail of the base plate of the cross head of the head of FIGS. 19 and 20 showing particularly the means employed to positively define the limits of the stroke of the cross head.

FIG. 23 is an elevational view in section of the tube and mount loader looking in the direction 2323 of FIG. 19.

FIG. 24 is a detail plan view of the cam track arrangement for returning the cross head of FIGS. 19 and 20 into its rest position, looking in the direction 24-24 of FIG. 23.

FIG. 25 is a side elevational view, partly in section showing particularly the mount carriers of the lamp tube and mount loader and the drive for actuating this loader.

FIG. 26 is a detailed plan view of the cam track as sembly for effecting insertion of a mount into the open end of a lamp tube as shown in FIG. 20, this view looking in the direction 26*26 of FIG. 23.

FIG. 27 is a side elevational view of the lamp unloader with one of the side supporting plates removed to illustrate more clearly the means employed for actuating the heads thereof.

FIG. 28 is a sectional detail looking in the direction 2ti-2S of FIG. 27 showing particularly the means for supporting the heads of the lamp unloader.

FIG. 29 is a schematic illustration of the drive for effecting head rotation, spider rotation and movement of both the lamp tube and mount loader and the lamp unloader.

FIG. 30 is a developed cam chart showing the sequence of operations of the components of the head assembly of the sealing apparatus during an operating cycle thereof.

THE HEADS Reference will now be made to FIG. 4 wherein one of the sealing machine heads is illustrated in section. The base member of head 1% is a casting M2 formed to define a base plate N4 and a pair of bearing housings 106 and 108. A pinion shaft 110 is supported in bearings 112 disposed in housings 106 and 103. A pinion 114 is pinned to one end of pinion shaft 110 and is disposed within a suitable chamber provided therefor in bearing housing 1%. Similarly, a pinion 116 is pinned to the other end of pinion shaft 110 and is also disposed in a suitable chamber within bearing housing 108. A ring gear 118 meshes with pinion 114 and is secured to mount pin shaft bushing 120 which is supported in bearing 122 in bearing housing 166. A sprocket 124 is secured to the mount pin shaft bushing 12%. A mount pin shaft 126 is supported by and extends through bushing 120 in bearing housing 166 and through other supporting members in bearing housing 103 which will be described more fully below. The mount pin shaft 126 is provided with an elongated keyway 128 Within which a driver dog 130, depending from bushing 120, is disposed. The left hand end of mount pin shaft 126, as viewed in FIG. 4, has a cam follower block 132 supported thereon in bearings 134 and 136 between which a bearing sleeve 138 is disposed. The cam follower block 132 supports a cam follower 140 upstanding thereon.

As noted above, the pinion shaft 120 is supported in bearings 112 in bearing housings I66 and I08, and pinions 114 and 116 are secured thereto at the ends thereof. The inion I16, disposed within bearing housing $.63, meshes with ring gear 142. Ring gear 142 is secured to a tube 

1. APPARATUS FOR SIMULTANEOUSLY SEALING A LAMP MOUNT TO EACH END OF A LAMP TUBE, SAID APPARATUS COMPRISING: A PAIR OF SPACED PEDEATALS; MEANS FOR RE-LOCATING ONE OF SAID PEDESTALS WITH RESPECT TO THE OTHER SO THAT THE DISTANCE THEREBETWEEN MAY BE VARIED; A SPIDER ROTATABLE SUPPORTED IN EACH OF SAID PEDESTALS; A PLURALITY OF HEADS MOUNTED ABOUT THE PERIPHERY OF EACH OF SAID SPIDERS, THE HEADS ON ONE OF SAID SPIDERS BEING PAIRED AND ALIGNED WITH THE HEADS ON THE OTHER OF SAID SPIDERS FOR SUPPORTING A LAMP TUBE AND A PAIR OF MOUNTS THEREBETWEEN WITH THE MOUNTS ABUTTING THE OPEN ENDS OF THE LAMP TUBE, AND EACH OF SAID HEADS INCLUDING A HOLDER FOR SUPPORTING A MOUNT, MEANS FOR GRIPPING A LAMP TUBE NEAR AN END THEREOF AND A BURNER 